Barber, Henry D., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1891 at 410 W. Mason in Polo, Illinois, this two-story house with basement and attic was designed by Chicago architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee for banker Henry D. Barber. Barber owned the Barber and Trumbauer Bank, which his father, Chanceford Barber, founded in 1856. The walls are Roman brick with limestone string courses and window sills, and the roof was originally slate. The facade looks symmetrical and carries classical details, yet the off-center entry, varied room shapes and central living hall recall Silsbee's earlier picturesque work. Interior trim of white oak, maple, cherry and red birch is stained dark. Around 1899 an Italian artisan painted stencils in most first-floor rooms. Few later changes were made, though the downstairs guest room was altered and the parlor divided. The house is recognized for its fine design and crafted details, as an early classical work by Silsbee, who gave Frank Lloyd Wright his first training, and as one of the finest buildings in Polo.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites the house's fine design and beautifully crafted details. It is an important early classical design by Silsbee, the architect who gave Frank Lloyd Wright his first architectural training. It is also described as one of the finest buildings in Polo and the home of one of its leading citizens.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 74000770, listed March 28, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 410 W. Mason St., Polo |
|---|---|
| County | Ogle County |
| Listed | March 28, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000770 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1891 |
| Architect / builder | Joseph Lyman Silsbee |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition marked excellent; listed as a private residence, occupied, with a doctor's office noted. Described as altered only slightly over the years. |
| Acreage | 0.7 |
| Coordinates | 41.98472, -89.59479 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 74000770.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5720080
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.